Abstract
This paper introduces methods of estimation of demand and supply of researchers and engineers, to which aim it surveys cases of estimations done in Japan. Governmental institutions estimated demand and supply of researchers and engineers eighteen times since 1957. Most cases of estimation followed a manpower requirements approach, which consists in programming the expansion of educational institutions based on the social requirements of higher education graduates. There is also the social requirements approach, which estimates both supply and demand in the labor market. These approaches bear on influence on the actual to estimation cases, for example, a new method estimate the supply of researchers and engineers, or the job transfer rate. Historically, the labor market in Japan plays an important role in adjusting the demand and supply of researchers and engineers. But, the market may fail, for example, by allowing investment in a given area. It is necessary therefore to develop a more efficient researchers and engineers supply program.
